http://forums.motivemag.com/zerothread?id=4034179
Nice looking coupe, chime in and tell me what you think
Nice looking coupe, chime in and tell me what you think
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corsachili
Well-Known Member
Ugh. Last night Terry and I were walking back to his car after a nice dinner and despite having seen them thousands of times previously, every time I see an E9 in person I am struck by how truly beautiful they are. You'd think that after 10 years of being around these cars on a daily basis I'd be immune to it, but I'm not. As we approached his CSL, sitting there under the parking lot lights, surrounded by modern metal I couldn't help myself. "Damn, that is just one of the best shapes ever put on a car", I said.
And then someone goes and tries to make it better, or different, or something. Now I'm not against some level of customization, although, truth be told, a bit part of me wants to go back to 14 inch wheels with stock springs. And I've been planning on doing a set of interior trim in wood for a couple years now. I've certainly done my share of customization, but I have never fundamentally altered the shape and character of the car. Hell, past the cool, vintage race appeal of Bats I don't even like all that stuff hung all over it. I'm not a big fan of airdams, wings, spoilers, sideskirts, etc. Especially on E9s. My opinion, and that's all that it is, is that they clutter and sully the looks of a perfectly elegant body. But...........to each his own.
You asked what I think, so here it is.
There's no doubt this car is fast, but visually I think it's been ruined.
-those are 17 inch wheels right? Too big as far as I'm concerned. 16s are even pushing the limits, but 17 just look WAY too big for that chassis.
-why did he remove the two inner headlights? It destroys the balance of the front end.
-the gaping intake is functional I'm sure, but it looks ridiculous.
-the stance of the car is wrong, it's sitting too low in the rear.
-the interior. Geezus, the interior. Where to begin? The diamond pattern leather is gaudy. The aluminum trim is not elegant, and the red speaker grills clash horribly. The owner didn't even put the plastic insert in the door handle, which looks unfinished. Oh, and the red leather, while nicely done, is too much. It's eye searing.
-mechanically the engine bay may be functional, but it's certainly not clean or visually appealing.
So my opinion of this car is that while I'm sure it's fun to drive, it's an example of customization and high performance gone amok.
And then someone goes and tries to make it better, or different, or something. Now I'm not against some level of customization, although, truth be told, a bit part of me wants to go back to 14 inch wheels with stock springs. And I've been planning on doing a set of interior trim in wood for a couple years now. I've certainly done my share of customization, but I have never fundamentally altered the shape and character of the car. Hell, past the cool, vintage race appeal of Bats I don't even like all that stuff hung all over it. I'm not a big fan of airdams, wings, spoilers, sideskirts, etc. Especially on E9s. My opinion, and that's all that it is, is that they clutter and sully the looks of a perfectly elegant body. But...........to each his own.
You asked what I think, so here it is.
There's no doubt this car is fast, but visually I think it's been ruined.
-those are 17 inch wheels right? Too big as far as I'm concerned. 16s are even pushing the limits, but 17 just look WAY too big for that chassis.
-why did he remove the two inner headlights? It destroys the balance of the front end.
-the gaping intake is functional I'm sure, but it looks ridiculous.
-the stance of the car is wrong, it's sitting too low in the rear.
-the interior. Geezus, the interior. Where to begin? The diamond pattern leather is gaudy. The aluminum trim is not elegant, and the red speaker grills clash horribly. The owner didn't even put the plastic insert in the door handle, which looks unfinished. Oh, and the red leather, while nicely done, is too much. It's eye searing.
-mechanically the engine bay may be functional, but it's certainly not clean or visually appealing.
So my opinion of this car is that while I'm sure it's fun to drive, it's an example of customization and high performance gone amok.
MPD47
Member
The car looks fantastic and goes like stink. One of my favorites for sure. But generally I disagree with most people on this forum.
Swedish bombshell....
I guess that's what makes horse races. Jaclyn Smith vs. Farrah Fawcett. Classical music or head-banging slam-rap-sody (my new word for the day..) Some women need help, and others look good first thing every morning. I'm with TJ one this one, but the car does have a certain nasty appeal, and occasionally we all...I'm not going to finish that thought. Who do you want to wake up to every morning? I think the last photo sums up my feelings. I wouldn't do that to my car, but I'd love to do it to that car, and then hand the keys back. My late father-in-law wrote a song with a lyric that I think fits; "...she was pure as snow, but then she drifted..." Pun intended. Dave V. in western NC
I guess that's what makes horse races. Jaclyn Smith vs. Farrah Fawcett. Classical music or head-banging slam-rap-sody (my new word for the day..) Some women need help, and others look good first thing every morning. I'm with TJ one this one, but the car does have a certain nasty appeal, and occasionally we all...I'm not going to finish that thought. Who do you want to wake up to every morning? I think the last photo sums up my feelings. I wouldn't do that to my car, but I'd love to do it to that car, and then hand the keys back. My late father-in-law wrote a song with a lyric that I think fits; "...she was pure as snow, but then she drifted..." Pun intended. Dave V. in western NC
x_atlas0
Well-Known Member
As for the interior, I'm going to have to go with corsachili on this one, but then again, I'm not a fan of diamond-patterned interiors, like on the Spyker and this car, they just look archaic to me.
Interior:
I do like the leather-wrapped door pulls.
I don't like the aluminum center console, I'd have made it black, and probably put in a nav system.
I would not have done all red, I would have gone a two-tone black and red. Breaks things up a bit.
I would have kept the wood, albeit clearcoated it and buffed it up a bit.
The gauge cluster is both good and bad. I like the gauges themselves, especially that quad combo one, but the whole thing looks very empty, and I would have kept the wood.
Te window switch relocation, while very "Maserati-ish", looks very out of place.
Exterior:
Highlighting the lower intake breaks the lines of the car. Not a fan. If it had been left black, that probably would have been better, or at least more subtle. Of course, with a 50's red interior, perhaps that isn't what the creator is going for.
I much prefer the 4 headlights. With duals, it looks a lot more like a big 2002.
17" wheels look too big on this car, and I'm not a fan of the basketweaves in the first place, they look too busy.
Nice paint.
Engine-
It says it has a M5 block (whatever that means, probably a M90) but if you are using a M5 block, why not use a M5 head? It would probably improve his power output by 20%.
I like that he used a twin-screw. His method of mounting is more than a touch odd, though. I figured it would go above the headers, since the fresh air intake was already on that side. It looks more like he shoehorned it in there in front of the brake master cylinder.
Given his boost level (1.6 bar) I'd also have gone with a larger charger. If he wants any more, he'll have to anyway, since the thing is already at ~14.5 @6k RPM right now. His post-charger temps must be through the roof, since the output temp starts going up much more past ~12k or so.
It also looks like he completely eliminated the heater box to both move the engine back and probably to ft the T-56. It is a good thing he braced it.
It is a little hard to see, but it looks like he's got some 3->2->1 headers, rather than a set of full Stahls or something akin to that, probably ue to the trans again. He could probably pick up some more ponies with better headers.
Overall, certainly a piece of work, and I do like the drivetrain, but I am not much of a fan about certain aspects.
Interior:
I do like the leather-wrapped door pulls.
I don't like the aluminum center console, I'd have made it black, and probably put in a nav system.
I would not have done all red, I would have gone a two-tone black and red. Breaks things up a bit.
I would have kept the wood, albeit clearcoated it and buffed it up a bit.
The gauge cluster is both good and bad. I like the gauges themselves, especially that quad combo one, but the whole thing looks very empty, and I would have kept the wood.
Te window switch relocation, while very "Maserati-ish", looks very out of place.
Exterior:
Highlighting the lower intake breaks the lines of the car. Not a fan. If it had been left black, that probably would have been better, or at least more subtle. Of course, with a 50's red interior, perhaps that isn't what the creator is going for.
I much prefer the 4 headlights. With duals, it looks a lot more like a big 2002.
17" wheels look too big on this car, and I'm not a fan of the basketweaves in the first place, they look too busy.
Nice paint.
Engine-
It says it has a M5 block (whatever that means, probably a M90) but if you are using a M5 block, why not use a M5 head? It would probably improve his power output by 20%.
I like that he used a twin-screw. His method of mounting is more than a touch odd, though. I figured it would go above the headers, since the fresh air intake was already on that side. It looks more like he shoehorned it in there in front of the brake master cylinder.
Given his boost level (1.6 bar) I'd also have gone with a larger charger. If he wants any more, he'll have to anyway, since the thing is already at ~14.5 @6k RPM right now. His post-charger temps must be through the roof, since the output temp starts going up much more past ~12k or so.
It also looks like he completely eliminated the heater box to both move the engine back and probably to ft the T-56. It is a good thing he braced it.
It is a little hard to see, but it looks like he's got some 3->2->1 headers, rather than a set of full Stahls or something akin to that, probably ue to the trans again. He could probably pick up some more ponies with better headers.
Overall, certainly a piece of work, and I do like the drivetrain, but I am not much of a fan about certain aspects.
Exterior:
-changing to 2 headlights looks wrong. Too much space between the lights and the kidney grill. Or it makes the kidney grill look too small.
-that big hole under the bumper looks ridiculous
-i do like the dual exhaust. Looks balanced
-the wheels are WAY too big..of course I run 14s
Interior
-too much red. I have a red leather interior but that is how my coupe was made. The red steering wheel and carpet are just too much
-a good job on the seat belts
-I don't care for the power window switch location, ergonomitricly bad
-I much prefer wood to aluminum, trying to make an E9 into a Z8
-changing to 2 headlights looks wrong. Too much space between the lights and the kidney grill. Or it makes the kidney grill look too small.
-that big hole under the bumper looks ridiculous
-i do like the dual exhaust. Looks balanced
-the wheels are WAY too big..of course I run 14s
Interior
-too much red. I have a red leather interior but that is how my coupe was made. The red steering wheel and carpet are just too much
-a good job on the seat belts
-I don't care for the power window switch location, ergonomitricly bad
-I much prefer wood to aluminum, trying to make an E9 into a Z8
...wait, a little to the left, a little harder... NOW you've done it... you've twisted my arm hard enough to take the car. Okay fine, I'll take it. Even though I may have a little too much fun in it and it might get a little too much attention, I'll suffer...
:wink:
:wink:
acat2002
Well-Known Member
I'd love to have a completely stock-looking CS.....AND have the ability to dust off a modern-era M5 or AMG at the drop of a hat!
The owner/builder got a little too carried away with that car though. What's with the aweful modified grill and headlights.
Did anyone notice the car pinging off the rev-limiter on the UTube videos? at least it can take a good flogging!
The owner/builder got a little too carried away with that car though. What's with the aweful modified grill and headlights.
Did anyone notice the car pinging off the rev-limiter on the UTube videos? at least it can take a good flogging!
MichaelP
Well-Known Member
Separated at birth?:
[Broken External Image]:http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/7058/igorcg9.jpg
Ewwww. That is all.
[Broken External Image]:http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/7058/igorcg9.jpg
Ewwww. That is all.
RogerB
Well-Known Member
x_atlas0 said:
That's what I like hear from a Techie! A closet Bulldog fan? Go Dawgs!
RogerB
acat2002
Well-Known Member
yep, that's a face only a mother could love!
BTW, MP...I was completely tounge-in-cheek in my previous "Separated at Birth" post. It was late at night and thought a quote from Pulp Fiction was sort of funny given your obvious depth of knowledge re: Campagnolo. :twisted:
BTW, MP...I was completely tounge-in-cheek in my previous "Separated at Birth" post. It was late at night and thought a quote from Pulp Fiction was sort of funny given your obvious depth of knowledge re: Campagnolo. :twisted:
x_atlas0
Well-Known Member
RogerB said:
Gold and white is an interior only an oil sheik could love, or Gucci.
Disgusting.
Tierfreund
Well-Known Member
Look at the radiator and the intercooler. Maybe ditching the inner lights was a neccessity due to the engine setup.
Typically swedish car. Those long winter nights... When the swedes turn to cars, they often go amok.
While I´m a great fan of originality and some of the mods on the car are definitely not to my liking (the steering wheel and the shift knob are the pinacle of bad taste), you really have to admire the craftsmanship in other areas.
Oh well, rather this than one of those E30fied E9ers...
Besides, I´d really like a black E9 in that body condition and with such a neat paintjob. Even this one....
Typically swedish car. Those long winter nights... When the swedes turn to cars, they often go amok.
While I´m a great fan of originality and some of the mods on the car are definitely not to my liking (the steering wheel and the shift knob are the pinacle of bad taste), you really have to admire the craftsmanship in other areas.
Oh well, rather this than one of those E30fied E9ers...
Besides, I´d really like a black E9 in that body condition and with such a neat paintjob. Even this one....
Jonathan
Well-Known Member
Agree with all of you on the negative side. Diamond interior??? Does this owner think his interior is a exactly like a Bentley GT's, or Spykker? (like the McMansion in the background--very gaudy). Diamond interior on a 1960's Ferrari Lusso is one thing. It looks horrible on this car. Interior is Gouche. Headlight removal is also awful. It's like having someone key the side of a freshly painted Agave Coupe-- Totally out of line. The owner tries to combine two eras of car into one and comes off IMHO as a failure.